People

Patrick Anderson, is an Arborlogist with Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements where he provides plant healthcare protocol training and support for Rainbow’s clients nationwide. He has years of practical tree care experience, and conducts field research trials throughout the U.S., with emphasis on plant growth regulators and landscape scale management. Patrick frequently gives talks and guest lectures for green industry groups, and has authored numerous articles on tree and shrub care. Patrick has a B.S. in Forest Science from Penn State University, is an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist and Municipal Specialist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified, an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist, a North Carolina Licensed Landscape Contractor, and is currently a member of the Revision Subcommittee for the ANSI 300 Part 2 Soil Management. In addition, Patrick serves as a TreeMaster for TreesCharlotte.

Ben Brusie, Eastern Great Lakes Territory Arborist, joins RTSA with over 8 years of experience in the green industry, working in areas across the Eastern U.S. He has experience as a Consulting Arborist and in providing plant health care services. He has also worked as the Project Manager for the invasive pest management (ALB and EAB) program for the Davey Resource Group. Ben is dedicated to providing training, technical support, and education of the RTSA protocols and products to treecare and landscape professionals across the Eastern Great Lakes (MI, OH, IN, KY). Ben graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture, with an emphasis in horticulture. Ben is a professional member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Kentucky Arborist Association (KAA). An ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Certified Municipal Specialist, Ben holds pesticide licenses in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. His hobbies and interests include golfing, running, hunting, fishing, frog gigging, canoeing/kayaking, Kentucky Basketball (Go Cats!!), working, relaxing on his farm in Southern Kentucky, and watching the horses race at Churchill Downs. If he were hosting a dinner party and could invite any guests, he would invite Muhammad Ali, John Wayne, and Thomas Edison. His favorite trees are the Kentucky Coffee Tree and Live Oak.

Rich Cartier, New England Territory Arborist, has over 5 years’ experience as a lawn care technician and 7 years as a Plant Health Care Technician and Coordinator. As the New England Territory Arborist, Rich provides products, equipment, information, support, training, and education to clients in his territory. Born in Woonsocket, RI, he spent 5 years in Orlando, FL and now lives in Milford, MA. His hobbies and interests include photography, especially nature photography of large landscapes and tiny insects. His favorite shade tree is a fully mature American elm. His favorite ornamental is a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar for its personality. The three people he would invite to a dinner party are Albert Einstein (The Genius), Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson (The Strategist), and Bill Murray (The Lunatic).

Aaron Dickinson, California & NY Territory Manager (aka - Arborist Extraordinaire), can be found assisting fellow plant care professionals on building and strengthening their Plant Health Care Divisions through education of RTSA protocols and products. Aaron grew up on the shores of Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont but calls Minnesota home now. He discovered rugby when attending Penn State University and has been involved in the sport since that time. After 24 years of playing, and 9 different teams, Aaron has transitioned to coaching and refereeing, but still finds himself jumping into an “Old Boys” game on occasion. Aaron’s favorite trees, in no particular order are Paperbark maple, Stewartia, Flowering dogwood, and the stately Sugar Maple. When not gazing at trees or following rugby, Aaron enjoys cooking meals that compliment his favorite red wines, spending time at the beach with his family, cycling (6 time Stihl Tour des Trees rider), hunting and fishing.

Mike Diemer, is the Territory Manager for the Southeast Territory (FL, NC, SC, GA, TN, MS, AL). He has over 16 years of experience in the green industry. He’s worked in production and sales for Marian Garden’s Tree Farm, as a business developer with Cherry Lake Tree Farm, and as a business developer for BrightView Tree Care Services. He graduated from Valencia College with an A.S. Horticulture “Landscape Construction” and A.S. Horticulture “Plant Production.” Mike is a Florida native and is a passionate surfer. He has surfed major surf breaks throughout Central America and the Caribbean. He also enjoys mountain biking, wake surfing, and fishing. If he were hosting a dinner party and could invite any guests, he would invite George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams (and would also invite King George of England to hear his perspective).

Lee Fredericks, Illinois Territory Manager, has over 27 years of experience in many sectors throughout the green industry including owning a tree care company, campus ground management, and commercial landscape operations management and business development. Prior to joining Rainbow, Lee worked with Brickman Group and Asplundh. Lee is passionate about building trusted relationships and delivering quality service and support. His hobbies include running, weight training, vacationing with family, weekend campfires, golfing, snowboarding, and caring for his landscape at home. His favorite trees are the Burr Oak and Ponderosa Pine for their stately nature, adaptability, and robust shapes. If Lee were hosting a dinner party and could invite any 3 guests, he would invite Theodore Roosevelt (true American statesman, soldier, naturalist, and reformer), Lee Iacocca (executive and author on innovation and the creativity of Americans), and Tommy Lee Jones (actor in over 100 movies and star of his favorite movie “Lonesome Dove”).

Shannon Herbst, Mid-Atlantic Territory Arborist, covers Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, South and Central New Jersey, and Central and Eastern Pennsylvania. Shannon has over two decades of experience in the green industry. She has owned her own WBE/DBE landscaping business in Maryland for over 8 years, worked as managing arborist for a tree company in New Jersey, and was the Director of Sales for a national maintenance company in Pennsylvania. Shannon’s love of trees is only surpassed by her passion for helping her clients succeed. Shannon’s home town is Sellersville, PA. Her hobbies and interests include: golf, tennis, basketball, body surfing, watching all sports (especially those that her children play), planting, baking and jigsaw puzzles. Her favorite tree is Salix Matsudana (corkscrew willow). The 3 people she would have for her dinner party are Eddie Vedder, Mother Theresa, and Chris Rock.

Korey Lofy, Rocky Mountain Territory Arborist, joins Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements having been a Consulting Arborist with Rainbow’s Twin Cities based service company Rainbow Treecare. As a Consulting Arborist, Korey managed and built client relationships with homeowners. And now he brings that unique experience to help clients in the Rocky Mountain territory to grow their plant healthcare programs. He’s worked in the green industry for over 8 years. He graduated from the University of WI – Steven Point with a B.S. Urban Forestry and Forest Recreation. He is an ISA Certified Arborist. His hobbies include: back country skiing, kayaking, and long walks on short beaches. His favorite tree is the Canadian Hemlock that grows in northern Wisconsin. If he were to have a dinner party and could invite any 3 people, he would choose Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jonathan Goldsmith (the “Dos Equis – Most Interesting Man in the World” guy). He aspires to further his knowledge about trees and to become one of the most approachable and professional resources to help clients’ grow their business.

Justin Matlock, Midwest Territory Arborist, has over 14 years of green industry experience. As the Midwest Territory Arborist, Justin provides products, equipment, protocol training and education to tree care professionals across Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. He strives to not just be a “distributor” but a true resource for his clients. His home town is Kansas City, KS. His hobbies and interest include coaching youth basketball, playing the guitar, hiking, camping, and fly fishing. His favorite tree is the Bur oak. If he could invite 3 people to a dinner party, he would choose Jim Carey, Larry McMurtry, and John Muir.

Toni Smith, Rocky Mountain Territory Arborist, has over 30 years of experience as an arborist in Colorado. She has a B.S. in Forestry from Purdue University and is a graduate of the American Society of Consulting Arborists Inaugural Academy. She has worked in 3 different Denver tree care companies’ plant healthcare departments, and she was a Code Enforcement Specialist then promoted to City Arborist with the Denver Forestry Department. As the Rocky Mountain Territory Arborist, Toni provides support, education outreach, training, products and tools for companies and city entities that want to remain current and grow their plant healthcare departments. Over the past 30 years, her home town has been Denver, CO. She is passionate about cooking, skiing with family and friends, tending to her home landscape/gardens, and discovering new areas of Colorado she has not yet explored. Her favorite tree is the purple beech (Fagus sylvatica Purpurea Group). The three people she would invite to a dinner party are Marlin Perkins, Eddie Vedder, and Maya Angelou.

Zach Stewart is a Client Advocate for Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements. His role includes supporting Rainbow clients through science-based education and training. Zach has worked for Rainbow Tree Care (Rainbow’s Twin-Cities based service company) on the emerald ash borer treatment crew and also on a variety of other tree health care related services teams. His hobbies and interests include board games, taking his kids out to play disc golf, and bowling. His favorite tree is the Bur Oak, in particular because it is a part of his favorite ecosystem the oak savannahs. If he were hosting a dinner party and could invite any 3 guests, he would choose Bernie Sanders, Socrates, and Gandhi.

Chris Haugen, Arborologist, coordinates and conducts research and manages product development projects. Chris is an ISA Certified Arborist who has spent six years’ time climbing and pruning trees. Chris earned his BS degree from St. John’s University in Environmental Studies and MS degree from the University of Minnesota in Applied Plant Sciences with an urban forestry related thesis.

Mark Lucas, works with Rainbow’s National Accounts. He has over 34 years of green industry experience. He’s worked with Chapel Valley as the Process Improvement Manager. He has also worked with Brickman Group for over 30 years in various roles including National Account Manager, Branch Manager, and Tree Manager. Mark is dedicated to providing training, technical support, client service, and education to National Accounts across the country. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Environmental Conservation. Mark is married with 3 children. He enjoys grilling and barbecuing with his Big Green Egg. He and his wife enjoy landscaping and have most of their favorite plants in their yard. He has hiked many of the National Parks and loves to cycle. If Mark could have dinner with 3 guests, he would choose his grandfather who got him stated in the green industry, Bobby Flay, and Ansel Adams.

Matt Karst,Account Development Expert and Technical Support Specialist, Matt is an Account Development Expert and Technical Support Specialist with Rainbow. In his roles, he supports Rainbow's clients all across the country by providing them with education and training. He has a Bachelors of Science in Field Biology from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, and he has experience as a Field Biologist performing tree/shrub inventories and wetland delineations. His favorite tree is the White Pine Pinus strobus. He enjoys photography, birding, hiking, camping, and gardening. If he were to have a dinner party and could invite any 3 guests, he would invite David Attenborough – to hear about all his stories filming wildlife documentaries, Charles Darwin – to hear his thoughts on evolution and adaptability of nature in an urban world, and Aldo Leopold – to discuss native ecosystems and ecology.

Erik Lindberg, Technical Support Specialist, provides education and training to Rainbow’s clients. He also works with the research and development department in conducting trials, analyzing data, and writing research reports. Erik received his bachelors from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire majoring in Ecology and Environmental Biology with a chemistry minor. He has a M.S. in Biology with an emphasis in forest ecology from Texas Tech University. He is a licensed pesticide applicator in Minnesota and previously worked as a plant healthcare technician for Rainbow. He has also worked in the herbarium at the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands. He is an avid runner, having completed 7 marathons (including the Boston marathon), 6 half marathons, and countless 10k and 5k races. His favorite tree is the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) because it is the only remaining species within its division, and fossils of it have been dated back to 270 million years ago. If he were hosting a dinner party and could invite any 3 guests he would choose Jack London, Maynard James Keenan, and Aldo Leopold.

Sam Neumann, Customer Service Representative, has over 15 + years of experience in customer service, administration, and quality assurance. If you need to get an order placed, a shipment tracked, and appointment made, or a question answered, Sam is the resource for you. Sam’s hobbies include: fishing, cruising around Lake Minnetonka, bon fires with friends and family, hiking, and hanging out with her 6 year old son and boyfriend. If she were to host a dinner party and could invite any 3 guests (living or dead) she would choose: Jon Bon Jovi because he’s her favorite singer, Bill Murray because “is there an explanation needed,” and Jimmy Fallon because he’s one of her favorite late night talk show hosts. Her favorite tree is the Cherry Tree.

Brian Peterson, Customer Service Representative, has been a CSR at RTSA since 2010. He works with clients, Territory Managers, and most every department at Rainbow, processes orders, tracks shipments, gets customers’ questions answered, does what needs to be done, and is the CSR for National Accounts. Showing support for the hometown teams, Brian is currently a season ticket holder of MN Golden Gopher football and also had Gopher hockey tickets for 21 years. His favorite tree is a Maple, and he enjoys reading, biking, and attending high school, college and professional sporting events. For an interesting dinner party he’d invite: Steve Sabol, George Carlin, and Johnny Carson

Jeff Picher is an Arborlogist with Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements where he provides plant healthcare protocol training and support for Rainbow’s clients nationwide. Jeff also conducts Rainbow field research trials throughout the country with academic and commercial partners, and he provides technical support to tree care professionals. Jeff has over 30 years of green industry experience including 22 years as an Arborist/Sales Representative for F.A. Bartlett Tree Experts in Denville, NJ. Jeff's specialties include diagnosing insects, diseases, and physiological disorders, as well as pruning, fertilization, tree inventories and tree care management programs. He has a B.S. in Landscape Horticulture from The Ohio State University and an Associate of Applied Science - Ornamental Horticultuire from S.U.N.Y. - Delhi, NY. Jeff is an avid cyclist and has completed the Tour des Trees numerous times. He is also a devoted skier, hiker, gardener, and pianist.

Tom Prosser, Founder/CEO, Tom brings more than 40 years of experience to tree health care. As the founder of Rainbow tree company, Tom believes that the key to success is to operate within Rainbow’s strong core values of integrity, honesty, communication, teamwork, ongoing improvement and that everything Rainbow does is based in science. Tom says, “Our mission and purpose is to preserve trees and help other Arborists preserve trees. We also have the mission to advance the science of Arboriculture in order that our practices and treatments obtain predictable results. Our company is about serving the people and the communities we operate in.” Tom’s current role, besides acting as CEO, is Team Leader of the Utility Vegetation Management division.

Greg Krogstad, COO, follows his heart and values in caring for employees and customers. Greg grew up in South Saint Paul and St. Cloud, MN. Greg is a twin, enjoys cooking bread from scratch, and has survived two rolling car accidents (of which he was not the driver). He loves bur oak trees and in his spare time can be found hunting, fishing, woodworking and gardening. For an interesting dinner party, Greg would invite: Chuck Norris, Teddy Roosevelt, and Pete Rose.

Joel Spies, Chief Marketing Officer, oversees, instigates, solves, designs and has leadership input into most business development areas for Rainbow. Joel grew up in Missouri, dreams of sailing the world with his kids like Jacques Cousteau, met his wife performing a scene from Ghost (literally in the college pottery studio) and loves fashioning himself in ugly Christmas sweaters to celebrate his holiday birthday. Joel’s favorite tree is really any that provides solid wood he can build things out of. He recently built a wooden fishing boat from scratch, is a noteworthy photographer, and an avid camper/fisherman. Joel would invite Chuck Norris, Tom Hanks, and Barack Obama for an interesting dinner party.

Shawn Bernick, Chief Science Officer, develops products and protocols that deliver predictable results for Rainbow and provides training and education so that other tree care professionals can do the same. Shawn grew up on a dairy farm in a small town called Spencer, WI. He enjoys mowing his lawn and growing vegetables in his garden; has shot deer, bear, wild turkey, squirrel, pheasant, grouse, ducks and geese; and met his wife on a blind date while in graduate school. Shawn’s favorite tree is a bur oak. In his free time, he likes the Packers and NFL football, watching and rooting for the Packers with his son Teddy, playing with his three kids, and being outside hunting, fishing, ice fishing, and growing things (trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetables, etc). His idea of an interesting dinner party would be with: Willie Nelson, Abraham Lincoln, and Albert Einstein.